Richard Goyder, the former CEO of Wesfarmers, is the new chair of Qantas.

The current chair, Leigh Clifford, will step down from the national carrier in October 2018 after 11 years in the role.

Goyder joined the Qantas Board in November 2017 after serving as CEO of Wesfarmers Limited for 12 years.

He said: “Qantas is an iconic Australian company and one of the best performing airline groups in the world. I’m honoured to be named its Chairman and look forward to working with my Board colleagues to help it take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

Announcing his retirement, Clifford said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead the Qantas Board for these past 11 years. The national carrier has never been in a stronger position and that’s a credit to the management team and the 30,000 employees that make up the Qantas Group family.”

The October AGM will mark the end of Leigh Clifford’s current three-year term on the Qantas Board.

Goyder is also Chairman of Woodside Petroleum Limited the Australian Football League Commission, JDFR Australia, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Channel 7 Telethon Trust.

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